The Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem has denied claims by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that "the world's wealthiest Jew" was sent to him in an attempt to mediate between Israel and Turkey. Erdogan told a Turkish TV station that the emissary was sent and that all attempts to mediate between Israel and Turkey have failed, and will continue to fail until Israel apologizes for the death of nine Turkish activists aboard the Marmara who were killed by IDF commandoes when they attempted to break the Gaza blockade in May 2010.
There was speculation in the Turkish media that the "wealthy Jew" was World Jewish Congress president Ron Lauder, who is close to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, or perhaps even Las Vegas casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, who is even closer.
Erdogan claims that in addition to the wealthy Jewish mediator, many heads of state have asked him to renew ties with Israel but that he always insists there must be an apology, compensation for the families of those killed, and the lifting of the blockade on Gaza.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on September 20, 2012
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2012